ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69 
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Post by ksk on Nov 8, 2008 9:55:00 GMT -5
Conventional wisdom recommends a second barrel (or drum) and reserving it for the polishing step. I've been told that this is not necessary when using a Lot-O-Tumbler.
Interested in first hand comments\results using only one barrel.
Thanks in advance!
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 8, 2008 10:46:19 GMT -5
I have one barrel and I'm satisfied with that. Just make sure it is super clean before the polish stage.
A second barrel is more convenient, but that is all.
Curt
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Post by puppie96 on Nov 9, 2008 4:29:46 GMT -5
I've got a double barrel model and I like having the third barrel just for polish. I've had this puppy running 24/7 for about 4 years now, except when on vacation, and over time you do start accumulating residue inside that gets hard to remove. This occurs especially on the upper curve just below the lid, the part that faces downward so that your hose spray doesn't get to it.
Also, eventually the barrels get soft, something I've never noticed in the discussion here. It takes a long time, but they do eventually wear down to the point where you need to replace them. Shawn has been amazed both times I've purchased new ones, but then I run it continually and probably the occasional lapse when the rocks have gone dry, which is rare but has happened, has increased the wear.
I've never seen anybody discuss this problem, but for long time users of these, beware! I found that when they became too soft, the rocks stopped circulating right and the unit became extremely noisy with vibration that I couldn't get under control. Even though only one barrel was too soft, it seemed to mess up the circulation in the second barrel as well.
I tried duct taping all around the outside which didn't help at all and actually seemed to make it worse, probably because of the lack of having traction in the frame like the rubber provides. I just bought a new one last week -- my new polish barrel -- and with 2 solid ones again, the unit is running way way better.
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Post by connrock on Nov 9, 2008 5:30:45 GMT -5
Hey Pups!!!!!!
How ya been?
I was surprised to hear about your barrels wearing out.I have a barrel from one of the first units Bell built that's around 1965ish and it's still OK! It's made of a different composition of rubber and is VERY hard.I've only owned this barrel for about 8-10 years but it's still OK.
The roughest grit I use is 120/220 and 220 but in the past several years it's just been the 220.If I had to guesstimate I would say I've polished over a ton+ of rocks and every one has been in one of my barrels.
One thing that may help you.
When I start a load I start it wet and add a small amount of powdered laundry soap.The soap makes the rocks slippery,fills in the imperfections before the grit can, helps to carry the grit and makes it easier to wash the rocks when the load is finished.
I'm no technical expert on the barrels but I would think that the main cause of wear would be using a rough grit and letting a load dry out,or letting it get to that period where the rocks are so "mucky" that there is very little action.
I don't have the above problems as I do my roughing in my rotary tumblers and continue the load starting with 220. Being that all of the impurities are gone by then I don't have a problem keeping a load from drying out on me.
(I'm thinking and typing at the same time here!!LOL)
It was while typing that last paragraph that I "think" I know why your barrels are wearing out and mine aren't!
Your barrels are subject to rough,sharp surfaces and mine aren't!
"Then came the dawn"!! LOL
I've been drivin my truck on the pavement and you been drivin yours on on the rail road tracks! Of course my tires don't wear as fast as yours!!
What-a-ya-think?
OOPS,,,Forgot about the original question......
I have 2 barrels dedicated to the polish stage.
connrock
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Post by puppie96 on Nov 10, 2008 3:38:36 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
No, that's not it! I rough grind them in the barrels and by the time I put them in the loto they are really smooth. I don't go any rougher than you do. I knew you would be surprised by this and so is Shawn. Now and then I've had a batch go dry but not often.
I just think that it's because I really, truly have had them going 24/7 from the minute I bought the unit which I'd estimate I've had close to 4 years. Don't ask me how but I have. Last week I retired the second of the 2 original barrels, which after that amount of use I don't think is so bad.
I definitely don't put rough rock in there, in fact there are some wannabee newbie tumblers at the rock club meetings who have been asking me about starter tumblers, and they all are debating between vibe and barrel types. I've been discouraging getting vibes first since I really think the results are disappointing and don't approach the looks of rocks that have been ground in the barrels first. Like you, I've had a hard time explaining how and why this is so.
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Post by connrock on Nov 10, 2008 4:58:26 GMT -5
Hey Pups!
WOW ,,,That's strange!
I run mine 24/7/362-1/2!!! LOL
My son came into my shop one day and said "Whats wrong with the vibe?" I was washing a load and the vibe was shut down.It was the first time he was here and the unit was down! LOL
I wish I could help but I guess it's just one of those things and maybe your right about the constant running.
connrock
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Post by puppie96 on Nov 11, 2008 2:58:37 GMT -5
My guess has always been that it's a combo of the continuous running along with the damage that occurs on the rare occasions when the rock has gone dry. I haven't done that often, but once or twice when I did the rocks were really and truly stuck, carving grooves into each other and surely, if they did that, putting a lot of force on the walls of the barrels. Whatever cause it, I hope this doesn't discourage other people from getting this unit, since it is such an outstanding and durable piece of equipment. I'm convinced that anything remotely polishable will take a polish in the loto.
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Nov 11, 2008 13:22:25 GMT -5
Could the difference be in the soap that connrock is using from start to finish? Just a thought.
Mark
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Post by puppie96 on Nov 12, 2008 13:04:59 GMT -5
I doubt whether it is the soap. You also have to watch out for putting too many big rocks in the barrels. I put in too many large rounded agates a couple of times, and I think they sunk to the bottom, didn't circulate, and caused a stuck barrel. It think it's most likely some combo of bad judgment, abuse, and continuous running.
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